Purpose: Pattern electroretinography (PERG) is a specific test for the analysis of functions of the central retina. In this study, we investigated the PERG recordings in subjects with myopia.
Subjects and methods: This study was performed on 1 eye of 80 subjects with varying degrees of myopia. Four groups were formed according to the refraction values: group 1: between 0.00 and -0.75 diopter (D); group 2: between -1.00 and -3.00 D; group 3: between -3.25 and -6.00 D; and group 4: between -6.25 and -10.00 D. Amplitudes and latencies of transient PERG P50 and N95 waves were recorded in all subjects.
Results: P50 and N95 wave amplitudes were lower in higher myopes (groups 3 and 4) when compared with lower myopes (groups 1 and 2; P<0.001). The amount of loss in P50 amplitude was 8% in group 2, 16% in group 3, and 36% in group 4 when compared with group 1. The amount of loss in N95 amplitude was 7% in group 2, 21% in group 3, and 43% in group 4 when compared with group 1. Although P50 wave latencies showed no difference between groups, N95 wave latencies were increased in higher myopes. The elongation in N95 wave latency in group 4 was 3.08 ms.
Conclusions: Increased axial length may contribute to the decrease in PERG amplitudes in our study. PERG recordings must be carefully evaluated when the group in any study that involves myopic subjects.